How Is Hyaluronic Acid Produced?

Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide or carbohydrate naturally present in the body. In the dermis, it composes the extracellular matrix and ensures the hydration of this deep layer of the skin. It has many virtues:

• Natural antioxidant: It protects the skin from pollution and the sun's harmful rays;

• Powerful moisturizer: It promotes the cohesion of tissues and maintains their hydration;

• Plumping: It fills in wrinkles and fine lines, while improving the skin's elasticity.

Unfortunately, as we age, the production of hyaluronic acid gradually decreases by 6% each decade, which is why it is important to provide the body with hyaluronic acid, either by injection or in a less invasive way in skincare. Hyaluronic acid is a cosmetic active ingredient that is very well tolerated by the skin and presents no danger when applied topically.

The first hyaluronic acid-based skincare product appeared in the 1970s. At the time, this active ingredient was of animal source: it was extracted from rooster's crests following a chemical treatment, a grinding, and a purification. Today, for ethical reasons and to comply with regulations, microbial manufacturing of hyaluronic acid has replaced its extraction from animal sources. The rise and development of biotechnology has made it economically viable to use bacterial fermentation of hyaluronic acid and thus promote its use in cosmetics.

Hyaluronic acid can therefore be obtained by a fermentation process from plant sources such as wheat, corn or soy, which contains this molecule. Wheat grains are fermented with lactic acid bacteria, then a succession of purification steps without chemical solvents are carried out in order to obtain a pure and high quality final product. Finally, it is dehydrated to obtain a powder. Mixed with water, it forms a more or less textured gel. At Typology, the hyaluronic acid present in our products is of vegetable origin; it comes from the fermentation of wheat.

Typology has introduced hyaluronic acid in many products for the face and body:

• To eliminate impurities without drying the skin, the moisturizing cleansing milk contains 0.5% hyaluronic acid combined with chamomile extract. It contains a base of gentle, biodegradable and naturally derived surfactants that create a delicate foam to clean the skin while respecting its balance. It is applied to wet skin morning and/or evening, directly with the fingers. The milk emulsifies on contact with water to create a fine foam, making it easy to rinse off.

• To deepen the make-up removal, the moisturizing tonic with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera regulates the pH of the skin, moisturizes and soothes it.

• To plump up the skin and prevent or reduce wrinkles, apply 3 to 4 drops of our plumping serum with 3% hyaluronic acid daily, morning and evening, to a clean, dry face.

• To reduce the appearance of fine dehydration lines, restore suppleness and tone to the skin, reduce feelings of tightness and moisturize your skin, opt for the nourishing face cream formulated with shea butter and 1% hyaluronic acid.

• Minimalist and fragrance-free, the 9-ingredient moisturizing face cream hydrates the epidermis. Its light and non-greasy texture is suitable for dry, normal and combination skin, even sensitive skin.

• The facial sunscreen  is enriched with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to deeply moisturize the skin, while protecting it from the sun's UV rays.

• For dehydrated hands, the 10-ingredient hand balm is enriched with hyaluronic acid and helps soften the skin. Apply a small amount of the moisturizing balm morning and night to the hands and massage until the skin completely absorbs it. Repeat the application in case of dryness and tightness.

• GEMEINER R. & al. Hyaluronic acid : a natural biopolymer with a broad range of biomedical and industrial applications. Biotechnology Letters (2007).

• SANTANA M.H.A. & al. Microbial production of hyaluronic acid from agricultural resource derivatives. Bioresource Technology (2010).